Page 557 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 2019
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That the resolution of the Assembly of 1 November, as amended 27 November 2018, which referred the possible expansion of the ACT Register of Lobbyists be amended by omitting the words “last sitting day in February 2019” and substituting “last sitting day in March 2019”.
I will provide members with an explanation on behalf of the admin and procedure committee. Members will recall that this matter was first referred to the committee on 1 November last year, with a very short reporting time frame—due back by 29 November, in that same month. Subsequently, the Assembly altered the reporting date to the last sitting day in February 2019. That allowed the committee time to seek submissions. When the committee advertised the inquiry, it sought views on the following matters:
(1) in light of recent developments such as the publication of Ministers’ diaries as required by the amended Freedom of Information legislation, and the intended formation of an integrity commission …
We were inquiring as to the purpose and extent of use of the lobbyists register under these new changes. We were also examining:
(a) the scope of who is covered by the Lobbyists Register and who should/should not be included; and
(b) whether the scheme should be administered by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly (as currently exists) or whether the Lobbyists Register should be in the remit of the proposed Integrity Commissioner or some other body.
The committee has been unable as yet to conclude a view on various options that have been put in place. It has also been seeking extra views on this matter amongst colleagues. It is my understanding that this matter should now be easily concluded at the next meeting of the admin and procedure committee, and a report should be tabled at the next sitting of the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommendations—progress report
Ministerial statement
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Social Inclusion and Equality, Minister for Tourism and Special Events and Minister for Trade, Industry and Investment) (10.22): I would like to formally table the ACT government’s progress report responding to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. As members are aware, the royal commission released its final report and recommendations in December 2017 and the ACT government responded swiftly, in June 2018.
The government, and indeed everyone who sits in this chamber, condemns the sexual abuse of children. We will continue to work closely with the community to create
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